Due Date: June 22, 2014 (but have lobbied to be induced earlier, which is reflected in the days to go!)

Baby Developments: Baby’s the size of a honeydew melon! Your due date is just four weeks away. Hasn’t time flown? Your once-poppy seed would probably be able to breathe on his own if he was born right now. (If not, he’d probably need some TLC, but he’d likely be okay.) Most of his systems are in working order at 36 weeks. Since baby really could decide to make his arrival any day now, try to put in a little prep work. For example, if you took a child birth class a few months ago, you might want to reread any materials you were given and practice some of the breathing techniques you learned with your partner. Go over your plan for getting to the hospital, and all the what-ifs (like, if you go into labor while you’re at work, will you go home first or straight there?). You might also want to remind your boss and colleagues of the status of all your work projects, so they know exactly where to take over if you’re suddenly out of the office. Week 36 is also a good time to enjoy a date with your partner. We’re guessing you won’t be up for dancing, but a nice dinner might be just what you two could use.

Weight Gain: Pretty much standard for my weight prior to getting pregnant. Somewhere in the 25-30 pound range, which I’m ok with. I have been S.I.C.K. sick for the last 2 1/2 weeks, so eating hasn’t been the first thing on my mind. Especially after waking up to Elle puking Tuesday morning and to myself puking this morning. Ugh.

Cravings: To stop feeling like general shit and to be able to feel like a human in good health. I just got worn out with a sinus infection gone wrong, and now this battle of the stomach flu. So, I CRAVE an ending to feeling like absolute crap.

Symptoms: Not sure what to note here…no swelling in feet or ankles, not much else to report. Feel like my boobs have gotten a lot bigger lately and that this baby has grown exponentially in the last two weeks. Which, of course, he is supposed to be doing.

I am loving: The days when I have felt well in the last few weeks, because I’ve been uber-productive at work and gotten just a ton of stuff done. It’s helping me feel a little bit more prepared to go out on maternity leave.

Sleep: I’m sleeping pretty well, not having to pee a lot yet, but it’s hard to get comfortable to GET to sleep.

I miss: My husband. About the time I started to get sick, he went back to work after having been laid off for several weeks. It was a good break for him, after he had worked crazy hours all winter. And then he goes back to work working 84 hours a week, plus 3 hours of drive time a day, just when I hit my weakest point health-wise. I feel like I see him and talk to him for all of 4 minutes each night, and that’s about it. He’s my best buddy, and I do miss talking to him and knowing what’s going on in each other’s lives. I feel like there is so much going on with both of us independently of one another right now, and I just miss him, quite honestly. (For the record, this is the first time I think I’ve ever done a weekly update in my life where drinking wasn’t the thing I missed0.

I am looking forward to: the growth ultrasound in a week and a half where we’ll get the 3D ultrasound pictures. I’m also looking forward to narrowing down the names for this poor child. We just haven’t been able to determine a name we really both like.

I am spazzing about: Feeling like complete junk. Today is the first day that I have NOT gone into the office at. all. since I started feeling like crap. I did switch MOD days with a co-worker last week, so I had Saturday off. That was after the ER visit on Friday, but I had still been in the office in the morning and filmed a TV segment before going to the ER. I feel like we’re pretty ready. I was worried about not having enough pajamas for this little guy when he arrives, but Carter’s baby sale this week helped that feeling subside. I went a bit overboard on jammies…

Best moment of the week: Last night, when Elle wrapped her arms around me, kissed me and I said “I love you SOOOO much”.

Milestones: The quilt has been delivered and the nursery is nearly complete. I’m very happy with how it’s all come together. I also think I’ve ‘dropped’ a bit. Or the baby has, whatever. They actually commented on it at work (people who I don’t mind commenting), and I had actually thought that myself in the morning. So, I think it’s true. Baby’s getting ready to join the world!

Movement: Lots. and lots. and lots more. I keep thinking with the way he’s moving he’s got to be ready to just come out already — but feeling as crappy as I have the last few weeks, I wouldn’t have wanted that to happen anyway.

It’s a….: Boy.

Exercise: Not much.

Diet: Fairly decent. Except that I can’t keep track of what I’m actually eating or how often. I just have felt so crappy. Thought I turned the corner Wednesday – only to be slapped with an unsettled stomach all day yesterday.

Goals for the upcoming week: Prep for maternity leave. Make a plan with daycare for Elle once the baby arrives. Buy Elle’s Big Sister present.

Baby Developments: You’re 25 weeks pregnant and it’s probably dawned on you that soon you’ll actually have to deliver this baby. (A little scary, but exciting!) What’s cool is that most hospitals will let you preregister, which means you can put in your paperwork early, so the day you go into labor, you don’t have to stand around filling out a bunch of forms before you get admitted. Maybe you’re getting nervous about delivery, or maybe it’s your haywire hormones, but you might start to have trouble sleeping around week 25. This is a common complaint of many moms-to-be. Some people will tell you that’s just your body’s way of prepping you for sleepless nights with baby, but those comments won’t help you get the rest you need! Experiment with different strategies for getting some sleep. One idea is to drink extra water early in the day, so you can start tapering off your intake as you get closer to bedtime. That way, you might need less bathroom breaks during the night and can keep sleeping. After all, now that baby’s crowding your bladder, you’ve got to pee. A lot.

Crazy that it’s just 14 weeks to go – just over three months!

Weight Gain: Ehh. Not terrible. Not good. I had a really down in the dumps month there in January into my last appointment. And then when I went back most recently, at my 23 week appointment, I realized I’d only gained a total of 15 pounds. So, not as awful as I’d thought, but just gaining weight in TOTALLY different places than I did with Elle. My ass – like I needed any more there – and thighs this time. Whatever.

I am loving: How quickly this is all flying by. And, that we just booked our first every legitimate family vacation in two weeks! We’re headed to Orlando/Disney, so that will be fun. I’m going to Orlando for work already, so this was just a natural dovetail with all of that. Jon and Elle are flying down on the last day of my meeting and then we’ll get four+ days to play in the sun and see Mickey Mouse (or Mickamouse as Elle refers to him). When I asked her today if she wanted to go for a ride on an airplane she responded “Roarsome” which is Henry Hugglemonster-speak for “Awesome”.

Sleep: I’m really uncomfortable when I sleep. I now have three of the four regular pillows on the bed (Jon requires just one) and the body pillow that I’ve added into the rotation. Getting comfortable to sleep seems pretty impossible, but once I fall asleep it typically is ok and I sleep for awhile.

I miss: Feeling like I was in some type of physical health. Got out for a walk with Elle on Sunday afternoon and walked two miles and I was winded and just generally out of shape. I feel winded too often and I just am welcoming the warmer weather (though 6 inches of snow is on the way tomorrow night!) and the sunshine and the longer daylight hours later in the day.

I am looking forward to: FLORIDA!

I am spazzing about: Nesting…I can feel it setting in. I think all day about all the things I’m going to get done when I get home from work, and by the time I walk in the door, my energy level is sapped. I feel like our house is out of control – not entirely but I just feel that way. And that I haven’t done great grocery shopping that keeps us stocked up. Winter us and summer us are very different…wish it weren’t so dramatic 😦

Movement: To the point it takes my breath away. I feel like the kicking/punching is significantly harder and placed differently than with Elle. I feel like Elle rolled around and had big dramatic movements more and this child just continues to beat on me from the inside.

It’s a….: Boy.

Exercise: Not much.

Diet: Better, and all I really want is water. I feel like it settles my stomach.

Goals for the upcoming week: Muddle through the week – I was in Traverse City for a work conference Sunday-Tuesday and then in Grand Rapids this Friday-Sunday. In an odd turn of events, Jon was laid off last week, so he’s now home for the time being. I think until after we get back from Florida. I’m SO SO glad that we’ve got a trip planned. I feel like this will be a great few days just the three of us.

Due Date: June 22, 2014
*This is the same day that I miscarried twins in 2013. Eerie and full circle all at the same time.

Baby Developments: The average fetus at week 12 is about 2.1 inches long and .49 ounces. Now that she’s got pretty much all her parts, her main job is to keep on growing. While she’s doing that, she’s also developing her reflexes — if you poke your belly, she’ll likely move, and she’s opening and closing her fingers and curling her toes. (From thebump)

Weight Gain: Steady. Had gained a net total of exactly five pounds at the 11 week, 3 day appointment (so, a week ago). Felt pretty good about that.

Cravings: Water. Fruit. Vegetables.

Symptoms: Still tired, but slowly getting past that. The nausea has subsided for the most part, but eating fruit still helps keep it at bay.

I am loving: The fact that my regular old pants still fit and have room in them. And that my size smaller pants are still fitting. I don’t get it. It made me curious at the doctor appointment last week, and the nurse practitioner said that there’s something in there because my uterus is up where it wouldn’t be if there weren’t a baby in there.

Sleep: Fine. Wish I could force myself to not hit snooze and to wake up an hour earlier every day. I think I’d be a better person for it, but once I’m asleep, waking up is hard to do.

I miss: Cocktails. It’s going to be a long ride if I’m missing them already. I am not missing the hangover-after-one-drink thing but I do miss enjoying a drink. I have all this wine and liquor and it’s a shame to not be able to drink at Christmas.

I am looking forward to: Christmas with family and friends. Love this time of year.

Best moment of the week: Last week, seeing the heartbeat and getting a healthy baby report. It honestly was something that I didn’t understand how apprehensive I was. After the N.P. and the doctor walked out after the ultrasound, I just broke down sobbing. It was cathartic and sad all at once. I realized I was still sad about having miscarried and relieved that I hadn’t with this pregnancy. Weird, but true.

Milestones: Hello, second trimester!

Movement: None. From the baby or me. My sciatica/sciatic is a bugger a lot of the time. Makes me feel like I have a still leg/pain in the ass at all times. Sweet.

Well, I have now known for over THREE weeks that I’m pregnant. The “Circle of Trust” remains my Mom and two girlfriends. And Jon, of course. And that’s it. Weird.

After the miscarriage earlier this year, I find myself saying things like “if I’m still pregnant in January” or “welp, I’m still pregnant today”. I am going to try changing my mindset and thought blogging (or at least writing these to publish at a later date might help. That, and I’ve been feeling uber-nauseous lately and I didn’t remember feeling that way when pregnant for Elle, only to go back and read through blog posts tonight and realize how completely queasy I was constantly.

So, here is a weekly update to start things off.

Due Date: June 21 2014*
*Have not been to the doctor to confirm, but my cycle is like clockwork, so I’m pretty sure that’ll be the day.

Baby Developments: Growing like crazy, baby is starting to sprout eyes, ears, nose, cheeks and chin. Those little hands and feet- still webbed like paddles- might wiggle by week’s end, the heart is beating (almost twice as fast as yours!), and blood is starting to circulate. (From thebump)

Week 6: Baby is the size of a sweet pea.

Weight Gain: Fluctuating. At times during the day, I can be at starting weight. At some points, I can be 10 pounds heavier than that. Right now, I’d say I’m about 2-3 pounds gained for real-weight (not water weight).

Cravings: Water. Coolness. Sprite Zero.

Symptoms: Complete queasiness at all times except from about 7:30 am – 10 am. Completely tired and ready for sleep most nights by 8 pm.

I am loving: The difference in Jon this time around, already. He sort of seems to ‘get it’ more I think. Though I do think he forgot how queasy I was the last time (I did too, though) and how tired this being pregnant thing can make you (I did not forget that part). But, I get the sense that Jon’s level of excitement is as high now as it was towards the end of pregnancy with Elle.

Sleep: Had two weird dreams last night. One that I quit my job, not because I was mad, but just because I was done working. To the point that I wondered when I woke up this morning if I had a job to go to. Also had a dream that the old swimming coach from Alma College pierced my ears so that I could have two holes in both ears. He did it with a sewing needle. Bizarre. But, sleep is ok. I get up pretty often to pee and Elle wakes up at least once a night still.

I miss: Not holding back – I wish that I felt more comfortable talking about being pregnant. We were at Jon’s cousins wedding this weekend and were with his brother and sister-in-law the entire weekend and we didn’t tell them. I am just not comfortable yet. Though this pregnancy already feels different than the last one when I miscarried, I’m still just anxious. We haven’t told Jon’s parents either. I wanted to say so last night when I was having dinner with them (Jon is working out of town) but I didn’t think that was fair to Jon. So, I miss being able to have everyone share in this excitement, but also feel like if I can just make it past that eight week mark, I’ll be more comfortable telling our very close family.

I am looking forward to: The first doctor’s appointment. The intake appointment isn’t until Nov. 25 and the first appointment won’t be until well after that, so I’ll likely be on the cusp of the second trimester by the time I see the doctor and an ultrasound. I really am looking forward to the heartbeat part of that ultrasound.

I am spazzing about: Just work-related stuff. It is our busiest time of the year at work and my signature event, Deer Widows Weekend, is in two weeks. Plus, I’m on the board at our country club and I’m launching a new point of sale system in two days. I’m slightly overwhelmed with it all. Which is manifesting itself as a very itchy scalp. Sa-weet.

Best moment of the week: Enjoying two nights in a row with Jon while at Laurie and Daniel’s wedding. Him working out of town for the last two months has been un-fun.

Milestones: None.

Movement: None from baby and none from me. Well, a few walks here and there but nothing notable. If I could stay up past 8 pm it might help.

It’s a….: baby.

Exercise: Not much.

Diet: Eating the same ol’ stuff I always do.

Goals for the upcoming week: Choose light fixtures for the outside of our house (we’re in the midst of a pretty big facelift to the house). Go to Bronner’s for the Department 56 event this weekend. Make smoothies at home in my new Ninja blender.